Chapter 89, Wu Region’s Martial Gathering

Translator: StarReader

 

“Caravan Guards Leader, Grandmaster Silver Armored Spear Li Shuo, has arrived!” shouted the doorman.

 

Soon after, another loud announcement echoed from the door. Many small group leaders turned to look.

 

A towering figure, skin like bronze, clad in silver chain mail, and riding a magnificent steed named Pursuit, entered the courtyard. He carried a Stone-splitting Bow and several pouches of piercing arrows on his saddle. Wielding a nine-foot-long silver spear, he exuded an aura of cold severity, reminiscent of a war god ready to charge into battle.

 

The small group leaders gazed at Li Shuo with awe and admiration. Rumors in the martial world claimed that Li Shuo was once a commander of the Western Area’s border garrison. However, after falling out with his peers, he left his post, retreating to the Wu Region’s martial circles, where he honed his skills and became a renowned Grandmaster.

 

Li Shuo retained his battle-hardened demeanor even in retirement. Whenever conflicts arose, he donned his chain mail and rode Pursuit into combat, leading Caravan Guards disciples to secure territories across the Wu Region. His group monopolized the trade of tea leaves and silk from the Wu Region’s thirteen counties, keeping other groups at bay.

 

“Lider Li!” they called out with respectful distance. No one approached him too closely due to his heavy battle aura.

 

Li Shuo, his face stern, nodded casually to the assembled small leaders. He dismounted, and a disciple from his group took the horse to the courtyard. He then sat down next to Medicine King Sun Baihong in an armchair.

 

“Master of the Iron Sword Group, Grandmaster Edgeless Broadsword Han Pingshan, has arrived!” boomed the doorman.

 

Entering the courtyard was a robust, middle-aged man with a heavy broadsword on his back. He walked in with the steadfastness of a mountain. The small clan leaders welcomed him warmly, many addressing him as “Brother Han.”

 

Clearly, Han Pingshan was more welcome among martial artists than Li Shuo.

 

The Iron Sword Group, rooted in the Wu Region for centuries, specialized in protection and money lending services, earning them good relationships with most groups due to their frequent dealings. Plus, Han Pingshan’s kindness and generous nature had earned him an excellent reputation in the martial world.

 

“Manager Liu of Heaven Falcon Group, accompanied by Young Leader Han Shu, has arrived,” announced the doorman, though his tone lacked some of the previous grandeur.

 

Liu, followed by Han Shu in a fiery red dress, entered the courtyard. Murmurs spread among the small group leaders. “What’s going on? Where’s Han Ya? Sending just a manager and a young leader is an insult to us!” Some were openly furious, shouting profanities at Liu.

 

This martial competition was intended as the Wu Region’s grandest gathering of group leaders in over a century.

 

But the leader of the Heaven Falcon Group, Han Ya, was conspicuously absent. In his stead, he had sent only Manager Liu and the Young Leader to represent him at this conference. This wasn’t just an insult to these powerful leaders; it was a slap in the face for Daoist Han Shan, who had convened this gathering.

 

In normal times, Manager Liu wielded considerable power as Han Ya’s proxy, commanding respect from every minor leader. But today was different. As he entered the courtyard, he was met with a chorus of disapproval and curses from the gathered leaders.

 

Undeterred, Manager Liu maintained his composure, bowing repeatedly as he addressed them. “Honorable leaders, I beg your pardon! I feared delaying matters, so I came ahead with the Young Leader. Rest assured, Han Ya will arrive shortly to ensure nothing is amiss tonight.”

 

Han Shu, usually arrogant and boorish, fell silent before this assembly of influential leaders. She meekly followed Manager Liu, keeping her head low.

 

The leaders grumbled but could do little more. After all, the Heaven Falcon Group was one of the Wu Region’s four major powers, with deep ties to the court officials. They couldn’t afford to alienate them.

 

…

 

After a brief wait, noise from outside heralded the arrival of Magistrate Wang and Daoist Han Shan, escorted by his top disciples, all first-rate Daoists themselves.

 

Magistrate Wang, dressed in his wide-sleeved green official’s robe, was instantly recognizable to anyone from Gusu City. His ample belly and round face struck an imposing figure, instilling fear even among the brave.

 

In Gusu County, the local magistrate’s reach didn’t extend to the happenings in the Wu Region’s martial world. The constables were known to avoid martial artists, preferring not to provoke them. In recent years, with local officials’ influence waning, it was even less of a concern.

 

Thus, in the eyes of the various groups’ leaders, Magistrate Wang was just another official, barely warranting their notice. They steered clear of each other, each minding their own business.

 

Yet, one name struck awe into every martial artist and group leader: Daoist Han Shan. Many were seeing him for the first time, the Wu Region’s greatest.

 

Daoist Han Shan stood tall in his dusty white robe, exuding an air of nobility and wisdom. His white brows spoke of years navigating the secular world, while his deep, piercing eyes seemed to see right through a person’s heart and soul.

 

Accompanied by the Daoists from Han Mountain Temple, he entered the courtyard, instantly elevating its atmosphere. The group leaders gazed at him, their hearts trembling with respect. They knew they couldn’t compare to this being.

 

Magistrate Wang hurried ahead into the courtyard, meticulously wiping down the seat before gesturing towards Daoist Han Shan, “Daoist, please! Please take your seat!”

 

There were only two master chairs at the head of the courtyard. With a nod, Daoist Han Shan sat in one, and all present acknowledged his authority.

 

The other chair remained empty; none of the leaders had earned the right to sit beside him, and not even Gusu’s own magistrate dared to try.

 

The expansive courtyard had rows of seats on either side, stretching out. Front and center sat the three most prominent leaders of the Wu Region’s martial groups—Sun Baihong, Han Pingshan, and Li Shuo—each a legend among Grandmasters.

 

Next in line were the seats for Gusu City’s Magistrate Wang, Heaven Falcon Group’s Manager Liu, and Han Shu. Following them were the chairs for dozens of smaller group leaders.

 

The seating arrangement was based on official rank and martial seniority, maintaining order amidst the gathered leaders.

 

Magistrate Wang surveyed the courtyard filled with martial leaders. He counted heads, noting that everyone had arrived except Han Ya from Heaven Falcon Group. He greeted them all with a bow and a smile, his round face beaming.

 

“Tonight marks the inaugural Wu Region Martial Competition, made possible by Daoist Han Shan’s influence. Though I am but a humble magistrate, I have been asked to oversee this event,” he began. “You may wonder why, given Daoist Han Shan’s presence, I—a mere court official—have stepped into your martial affair. The reason should be clear: we aim to unite our forces against the Whale Gang.”

 

The leaders remained silent, understanding his implication.

 

Months ago, the Whale Gang had seized a shipment of imperial grain. In retaliation, the former governor dispatched the Wu Region’s finest soldiers, only for them to return defeated. Now, Magistrate Wang and Daoist Han Shan sought to rally the region’s martial groups against this common enemy.

 

Magistrate Wang’s face flushed with excitement as he continued, “With our combined might—over ten thousand disciples—I am confident we can crush the Whale Gang like rotting branches! We will purge this scourge from the Wu Region and bring peace to its people!”

 

However, his impassioned words fell on deaf ears. The courtyard remained silent except for the crackling of nearby torches.

 

A murmur rippled through the crowd as Magistrate Wang’s speech echoed off the stone walls. Seated at the far end of a row, Li Shuo leaned towards Manager Liu and whispered, “Do you truly believe we can vanquish the Whale Gang with this assembly? They’ve been terrorizing the Wu Region for years; they won’t go down without a fight.”

 

Manager Liu glanced around nervously before replying, “We must trust in Magistrate Wang’s judgment. Daoist Han Shan supports him, after all. Besides, think of the rewards if we succeed—our groups will become the court’s most favored allies.”

 

Li Shuo shook his head doubtfully. “I hear the Whale Gang has powerful backers. This gathering might stir up more trouble than it’s worth.”

 

The Wu Region’s several dozen bosses maintained a composed demeanor, not uttering a word nor responding to the magistrate. They merely stared at the chief seat, where Daoist Han Shan sat with his eyes closed in meditation.

 

Magistrate Wang had finished speaking, his saliva spraying about, only to realize he was alone on stage. No one responded, leaving him feeling profoundly awkward. He glanced back at Daoist Han Shan, seated at the head of the courtyard, his face as stern and still as the sea itself.

 

Magistrate Wang felt a pang of despair. This gathering of the Wu Region’s bosses for the martial competition relied solely on strength. His Gusu County subordinates were merely lazy constables and militia, incapable of accomplishing anything meaningful. Thus, his words held little weight; Daoist Han Shan would have to speak up.

 

“Daoist,” Magistrate Wang quickly bowed low, a smile plastered on his face as he asked, “What are your thoughts?”